Thieves take $60,000 in break-in at Pontiac Water Department offices

A front window pane was busted out on the front of this building overnight Monday, and $60,000 was stolen, and now the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the burglary. (John Turk-The Oakland Press)

Pontiac resident Joe Woods said he didn't think the city's water treatment bill facility was unsafe, but he felt that way after hearing $60,000 was stolen from the office. (John Turk-The Oakland Press)

Joe Woods walked out of the city’s water resources facility Wednesday unaware that there’d been a burglary a few nights before at the office.

When the 86-year-old Pontiac man found out that a safe had been smashed open and at least $60,000 was taken from the building overnight Monday, he said he didn’t feel as safe as he did walking in.

“I come here every month to pay my bills and I’ve haven’t had any problem,” Woods said. “I feel bad, to be frank. I don’t think (anybody) better try to do that while I’m in there ... because I don’t believe in that.”

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An investigation into the break-in was launched Tuesday after employees reported thousands stolen from the office, which is run by United Water Environ Services — a New Jersey-based company that contracts with Oakland County Water Resources Commission for treatment services.

Workers at the water resources office — located in the 500 block of Opdyke Road — said they found a broken front window when they came into work, then discovered several ransacked offices inside.

A safe was forced open, witnesses said, and they found that upwards of $30,000 in cash and $30,000 in checks that was slated for deposit Tuesday morning had been taken. The office was closed the entire day for investigation.

Sheriff Michael Bouchard said the suspects had been in the office working on the safe for hours with tools and “brute force,” rather than finesse.

“Given the period of time it took them, my sense is they were aware that the situation there didn’t include cameras or alarms. ... They may have had some information about the inner workings of that office,” Bouchard said.

Employees at the United Water office declined to comment Wednesday, and representatives were not available for comment at press time.

No suspects have been identified, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, and detectives and forensic investigators are following up any leads they can.

About the Author

John Turk covers the police beat and the Oakland County Board of Commissioners for The Oakland Press. He is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University. Reach the author at john.turk@oakpress.com
or follow John on Twitter: @jrturk.